Old world charm
We got there right when they opened for dinner. The place feels old, but in a good way. Both meals we had were excellent. Waitstaff was friendly and attentive. Can’t wait to come back for the theater performance.
I absolutely love this restaurant. The warm inviting atmosphere, the amazing staff and Franca's welcoming smile make you feel like you are part of the family. The food is fabulous whether I'm just craving a snack or a three course meal-everything on the menu is good! They have a full service bar and the waiters always make my drinks just the way I like them. If there's ever a question or complaint, it's always promptly addressed and rectified. They also have dinner theatre shows that are entertaining and fun! You can get a three course dinner and a live full stage production for the price of just a meal. If you're looking for great authentic Italian, fun dinner theatre or just a cozy place to have a drink, Franca's is the place!
Good food great service. We go to Franca's because it is like going to my sisters house. A handshake from the greeter or a hug from Franca if she isn't cooking and aftermaking sure everyone is doing well off to our table or the bar area if we are there just for dessert and wine. Having tried most of the menu previously, I like to ask for off menu dishes that may be available. What I'm saying is ask and you will receive if they can. Franco was all about family and Franca has taken it from her dad and run with it. Pollo balsalmico is great and Tortellini del papa is a creamy delight. I ask them add a dash of red pepper to my tortellini because I like a bit of fire with mine. Stop by and visit my "sister" Franca. You won't be sorry.
Franca's Italian Restaurant food is so authentic you feel like you are actually in Italy. Great good, great service and great people. Franca and her sisters are so nice you feel like you are part of the family as soon as you walk in.
Excellent food, excellent service, great staff.. Had a birthday dinner party there recently and it was great. Italian just like the "old country" with the décor and the food. Quality of the food was excellent. Facility was clean and well maintained. Not a production line service or "pre-made" food service. If you want a gently made real Italian meal and a fine wine this is the place.
This place is super skank-tastic! It's a train wreck, hodge podge of the crappiest decor ever! And I love it. Salad was obviously intended to make people want to die, but the main course was actually pretty decent. I recommend this place to anyone blind or going blind and please don't go here if you have allergies..the dust bunnies will get ya!
Great food, excellent service, wonderful atmosphere. Franca will make you immediately feel like family. Perfect place for for family and friends to have dinner.
I loved it!!! Only complaint I have is the salad wasn't good. Other than that everything was amazing!
Food is very good. Very unique ambience with Italian music and decorative rooms. Staff is friendly and courteous. It was enjoyable evenings. Can handle large groups well.
First time here and love it. Tortellini Francesca is great. The interior, designed by the late founder, is even better. The most italian italian place i've been in outside of italy. Check it out.
I adore this restaurant. The decor is fantastic, I love it. The Tortellini Francesca is fabulous and the pizza is too good... I have to spread out my visits or I'd weigh 300 pounds!
Bethany Miller Roman
+4.5
Loved it. We just had dinner here and really enjoyed it. Had a difficult time deciding what to order because everything looked so good so we ended up sharing the Italian plate which was a combination of many ravioli, lasagna, chicken parm. Fettuccine Alfredo. Every one was great, and this with the bread and salad were plenty of food.
Incredible. My husband and I were in town for a wedding, and the reception was held at Franca's. Not only were we amazed by the savory food, which was freshly made and tasted like it had just come from Italy, but the hospitality that the owner showed and the friendliness and great service of the waiters made it a great experience. When walking in, you are greeted by the owner herself and the rich smell of Italian food, and the beautiful decorations her father made when the restaurant was first opened. I would definitely recommend this to anyone I know, and we will be coming back next time we are in town. Delicious!
LOVED IT!!!. AMAZING!!! Loved it! The food was fantastic, the ambiance was the best... Made me home sick for Italy. The service was extraordinary, Ask for Josh..just can't get any better. Felt like we were visiting family for dinner. Well worth the trip if you are really craving some home made Italian food and fun atmosphere to go with it. The whole family will love it. Ask Franca for the history... She will even give you hug on the way out the door. We can't wait to go back!
Amazing. I have never eaten anything from this restaurant that I did not like. You can tell that every dish is made from the best ingredients and homemade recipes. I would recommend this restaurant to all of my friends.
This place is great. Food is good, homemade, fresh Italian food. It's the kind of place where once you've been there a few times, everyone knows your name. Now known as Franca's (the daughter owns/operates it), the owner is extremely welcoming and friendly. The decor is very different. Many would consider it a turn off or "tacky", but to me it adds to its charm. In fact, the whole place was built and decorated by Franco himself. Give this place a try. My favorite meal is re Cappelini Sincliana (please forgive the spelling). I always get extra sauce and add a couple of delicious meatballs to it.
Now named after Franco's daughter, Franca's has consistently great Italian food. We have visited about 20 times in the past couple years and enjoy the personal attention from the staff and the great food. The decor is unique and may be a turn-off for some, but don't let it stop you from experiencing a wonderful Italian meal. We like all the dishes we have tried and never had a bad meal here.
The ingredients are fresh and the food is served hot. My favorite is Franco's combination, a spaghetti pasta sauteed with mushrooms, red sauce and topped with Italian sausage and meatballs.
Best Italian in Houston-I miss this place! :-(. I'm a picky eater, and I usually look at a lot of reviews before trying a place. We originally tried this place on a whim. We were driving on Nasa Road 1, and my husband looked over at it and asked, "Do you want to try that?" I almost said no, and that's the scary part! I decided to throw caution to the wind and try it, very much going against my normal inclination. Franco and Franca were both there, and they were both extremely friendly. The pasta noodles are actually homemade as they should be, as are the sauces, the hot rolls, and the desserts. Nothing tastes like it's out of a can, that's for sure! I moved away from Houston over 2 years ago now, and one of the things I really miss is this place.
Went for the first time last night. Appetizer (calamari) was excellent. There were three of us, and we ordered 3 different entrees. All three were excellent. Dessert followed suit and was also exceptional. Restaurant I'd huge, very uniquely decorated. Waitstaff was clearly very proud of the restaurant, and gladly shared it's rich history. Service was great. It is now owned by Franco's daughter, and has been renamed Franca's. We will definitely be returning.
This was our first trip to a very nice and elegant restaurant setting. The service was perfect and the food was enjoyable. Franca's Real Italian Restaurant is the diamond in the rough.
We made the decision to visit based on pictures and an article we saw in the local "happenings" mailer. Boy were we surprised when we arrived.
The setting was dim with candlelight... something we have not seen in quite some time. They had a couple of really good vocal artists performing during our visit. It made for a very nice family dinner.
We ordered several traditional plates off the menu. It was all reasonably priced. Everything we ordered was enjoyable and satisfying. I added a picture of half an order(shard with wife) of Manicotti. I definitely recommend a visit if you have not been. If you have been...you already know how nice this restaurant is.
Wife and I have attended 3 of the dinner theater shows here and have no complaints about the food. Our most recent visit was not the best. Our waitress could not describe the alcohol selections, removed bread plate before asking if we wanted more bread. The biggest disappointment was being charged 18% gratuity at a group rate when it was just the two of us. It was not advertised as such, and Franca corrected the bill upon request. We left 14% tip. But will most likely not be back soon.
Loved the food. They do need an update on the decore, but great food saves this place. I haven't seen the show yet. I will return to see their Christmas show.
Everything was absolutely perfect, from the waiting staff to the perfectly cooked medium rare steak in my dish. I would love to go here if I get another chance. The ambiance makes sure u feel like it's a family run restaurant.
Such a neat place!! Definitely not a boring meal. The food is great but if you want a cheap meal this is not it. We went late on Tuesday night and found out they were having live music which was so fantastic. They have dinner theater here also!! So much fun, great for a night out with your favorite people.
We recently visited after a day spent at the NASA space center (4 adults, a 7 year old and a 3 year old. ) we had a pizza, the lasagna, a combination plate and spaghetti....and numerous desserts! Everything was delicious and resonably priced, but the best part was the service and the atmosphere. Our kids loved the live music. Truly a family restaurant.
This little place is awesome!! Family owned and has been in business in the Clear Lake Area for over 40 years. The food is always good and the atmosphere is very family friendly. The decor is quirky which I think makes the place more unique. Franca (the owner) is always accommodating. We also have our Krewe meeting there and they flawlessly serve 40 people during our meeting and accommodate our crazy, loud group. They also have a dinner theater, which I hear is nice, but I have not attended so I cannot provide a review.
I have wanted to visit this restaurant for awhile a couple of years. The architecture and statuary outside make it both beautiful and mysterious. The food turned out to be more than good. It was delicious. Best of all, there were no bad after effects - which means that the ingredients were all healthy. The interior is as fun as the exterior and the service, superb.
This place is a hidden treasure. If you haven't been to Franco's real Italian restaurant you're missing out on its place in history. Frank is a second generation real Italian restaurant. In addition Half of the restaurant is a dinner theater. Last Saturday night we saw Neil Simon's play rumors! A hysterical romp through deceit stories in more stories lies and more lies laughing at every turn! A great cast. The food the food was quite good. This restaurant has been a neighborhood gem a neighborhood favorite For a very long time period ask any of the staff about the history and they will be happy to share it with you! Not in to dinner theater that's all right even on theater night the rest of the restaurant is open for business serving up all of our favorite Italian dishes with a full bar you'll not go Thirsty. Cursor father's work every day of the week.
My husband surprised me with a dinner date at Franca’s last night. It was Valentine’s Day, they were quite busy and it took an unusually long time for our food to arrive, but we didn’t mind because we were too busy enjoying the music, our drinks and each other! We ordered the grilled chicken with vegetables and it was delicious! Franca and her staff are always so nice and welcoming, the food is always great and the atmosphere is relaxing. We’ll definitely be back!
Food was AMAZING! My friends and I were here for vacation and LOVED IT! We were served by the bald guy (no offense) and he was funny and provided us with AWESOME service! He was definitely a great server and had us all laughing.
Being a vegetarian, I am very selective to the restaurants I choose to eat my meal. The waiters are so friendly and will ensure my food is not cross contaminated due to my dietary restrictions. ( Which I rarely find in other restaurants).This is one of my favorite Italian restaurant, which tops my list.I absolutely love the personalize décor. Each time I have always been acknowledged from the time I walk in the restaurant. And make me feel very welcoming and inviting.
Thanks to the owner for the keeping the place shining so good. Job well done to all staff members.!
I absolutely adore this place! The chef prepares all the food from scratch which is actually in the open for the public to see...no hiding authenticity here. The waiting staff is fantastic, super polite and they do try there best to make your experience amazing. The rolls are addicting fyi, so be careful...they are complementary..😐
Surf & turf...filet medallions topped with brandy cream sauce w/jumbo grilled shrimp, veggie medley & fetticine alfredo...yumm
I love Franca's Real Italian Restaurant! The family is so friendly and makes everyone feel like they belong. The service is quick and very attentive. The owners and their family will come out to check on everyone there. The food is the best Italian food in the area. The atmosphere is fun. They even have a dinner theatre. We go back on a regular basis and especially for all of our family functions.
Beautiful service. Great food. Romantic. We sat by the fountain and had a very romantic dinner. Prices are great. Our waiter Richard was very attentive and knowledgeable. Thank you for making my weekend off great!
We've been coming here for years. The owner is always there to greet you and make sure you are being taken care of by the staff. Food is great, ALL THE TIME. We always get the meatballs for appetizer because they are so good. We get different entrees when we go, and there hasn't been one that disappoints us.
Kimberly Nichole Lodrigue
+5
The food was delicious. The service was great, very attentive and friendly. It was a real cool atmosphere..there was man playing the piano and people dancing and just a whole lot of fun.
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